Shawn Johnson can dance

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No one had more fun than gymnastics gold medalist Shawn Johnson in Monday night’s first round of competition on the new season of ABC’s ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ No one seemed to have a worse time than former NFL star Lawrence Taylor. Judges called Taylor’s performance ‘casual,’ which was a nice way of saying, ‘Um, try a little.’

On the other hand ,Johnson, who had pointed out to her partner Mark Ballas last week how the gymnastics experts had often criticized her dancing skills in her floor exercise routines, did a waltz that earned the highest scores of the night and stamped Johnson as the early favorite.

Most likable? That would be rodeo cowboy Ty Murray, who said he had a hard time performing dance skills because he kept imagining what his cowboy buddies at home might be saying. And still Murray danced. If I were voting from home, I might cast a vote or two for Ty. Cowboys should dance too. Just like gymnasts.

-- Diane Pucin